Deadbat_DB
Vital Squad Member
Report below…..and brief Podcast review here too
The Blades got their first Premier League win back at this level and won the first home game back at Bramall Lane as they beat Crystal Palace thanks to John Lundstram’s goal. United were value for the win after an even first half but the Blades upped the tempo in the second half and the final score was a fair reflection of the contest.
Manager Chris Wilder kept faith with the same eleven that started last week in the draw at Bournemouth and had the same substitutes also. Palace started with Wilfried Zaha, and had a number of international players at their disposal led by former England manager Roy Hodgson.
The last time United had played at this level inside this old stadium, had been in the pouring rain amidst a funeral type atmosphere as the Blades got relegated after the defeat to Wigan set against the Tevez controversy. This time over 12 years on, the sun was out and the optimism was palpable as a packed ground started to gather in anticipation.
The atmosphere was crackling inside the Lane as the teams came out and the Greasy Chip Butty song reverberated around the ground as the teams kicked off. United tried to get it forward but it was a cautious beginning from both sides. O’Connell had to receive treatment after a clash of heads but was fine to carry on. Zaha was on the ball early but his penchant for going to the deck was frustrating United’s players and fans alike. A half chance came for Benteke but his shot lacked power and was saved comfortably from Henderson.
Lundstram got a booking for a fairly innocuous challenge on Zaha as the Palace man went to ground again. O’Connell had a header off target and then Benteke’s link up saw Townsend had to be halted by Egan. United had knocked it long too much early on and the front two were not seeing much of the ball but even though Palace had more of the ball, they created little the other way. Lundstram shot wide and then Basham had to get a header in to deny the deep cross.
At the other end Stevens shot saw some appeals for a penalty ignored before Palace had a spell of play that saw United have to concede a corner and a free kick but nothing worried Henderson in the United goal. Fleck took a knock and struggled to carry on and had to come off with Freeman replacing him in the midfield area. The sub was straight into the action finding Robinson whose shot was well over. United had started to grow into the game and had the best chance of the game when good build up saw the ball transferred to the right and Lundstram made the interception and then put over a great cross that McGoldrick seemed sure to score but somehow Guaita saved at point blank range.
The half time whistle came after a relatively even half. Palace had more control of the ball but had not created much and even though United had been a bit sloppy with the ball, they still had the best chance of the game.
The second half began with United roaring into Palace and into the lead. Stevens and O’Connell combined with the overlapping centre back being utilised and the ball was played into Freeman. The midfielder took a great touch inside and hit a cross shot that Guaita could only push out. The ball fell right into the path of LUNDSTRAM who fired home to send the ground into raptures with an almighty roar to signal the ball hitting the back of the net.
Palace tried to respond but Townsend’s shot was comfortable for Henderson before Robinson pulled up and had to be replaced with McBurnie who made his home debut. Norwood had grown increasingly influential and his crossfield ball was a sight to behold as it arrowed behind the defence to Baldock who was denied by Van Aanholt. Schlupp and McCarthy came on for Townsend and Meyer as Palace tried to make changes to a game where the home side had controlled much of the second half. United were now ripping into tackles and winning the loose stuff. McBurnie was a handful up top and Freeman was running in behind. Norwood was continuing to spray the ball around with Lundstram still continuing to be a steady player both ways.
The next chance came for United as a corner was not cleared and Basham hit an intelligent cross over that O’Connell met but Guaita pushed away. Baldock was cautioned for a late tackle which McCarthy reacted to and also earned a caution. United now were managing the ball and the game well and Palace had offered little. Freeman’s cross nearly saw McBurnie have a chance but his header looped over. Wickham was on as Palace tried to get extra bodies forward but were struggling to make much headway.
Freeman was booked for a foul on Ward as Palace had a free kick opportunity which Egan and then O’Connell cleared. Jagielka came on for McGoldrick to a stirring reaction as referee Coote incredulously allowed seven minutes extra time! In this additional time, Baldock and then Basham made good interceptions but United protected Henderson expertly and saw time out professionally. The crowd rose to their feet as the Blades won every tackle and loose ball and blast of the final whistle saw the whole ground rise as one to celebrate the first win back at this level.
United – Delighted with the win. The performance again, as last week, was solid. We were not superb but first half we stayed in the game, even though we never got on the ball enough and it was a bit scrappy, we did not get too many chances away and just kept solid. I felt we went long too much and maybe sat off a bit. We did not get the ball to the strikers enough and it kept coming back but fortunately Palace did not do much the other way and only had a few half chances. I did think we could do better even though it had been quite even and we still had the best chance through McGoldrick who should have scored.
After the break Freeman made a difference as did McBurnie and we got the goal and you felt the confidence come through the team. Everyone started to improve and I just sensed the belief on and off the field emanating all around. Palace looked a bit clueless. If anyone looked like scoring again, it might have been us as O’Connell had a header saved and a few other balls went across. Palace had one chance but it was a tame effort and Henderson made a bit of a meal of it. There was 7 minutes of stoppage time (not sure how) but you felt the nerves maybe came more from the crowd who were just doing the usual United might mess this up thing, rather than the team looked really edgy. We actually saw it out quite comfortably.
So, 4 points is a great start. We have not played any heavyweights yet and next Saturday will be our toughest test yet but it has been pleasing. I do think we can do better and even though all the players have been decent to good, think some can do even better. Teams have not cut us apart and we have not conceded many chances, let alone goals. The other way we have had a few chances and scored a few goals. We have seen a surprise in Lundstram coming in and excelling. The defence has been solid and the new players are slowly bedding in. We have to be really pleased with the start.
The Blades got their first Premier League win back at this level and won the first home game back at Bramall Lane as they beat Crystal Palace thanks to John Lundstram’s goal. United were value for the win after an even first half but the Blades upped the tempo in the second half and the final score was a fair reflection of the contest.
Manager Chris Wilder kept faith with the same eleven that started last week in the draw at Bournemouth and had the same substitutes also. Palace started with Wilfried Zaha, and had a number of international players at their disposal led by former England manager Roy Hodgson.
The last time United had played at this level inside this old stadium, had been in the pouring rain amidst a funeral type atmosphere as the Blades got relegated after the defeat to Wigan set against the Tevez controversy. This time over 12 years on, the sun was out and the optimism was palpable as a packed ground started to gather in anticipation.
The atmosphere was crackling inside the Lane as the teams came out and the Greasy Chip Butty song reverberated around the ground as the teams kicked off. United tried to get it forward but it was a cautious beginning from both sides. O’Connell had to receive treatment after a clash of heads but was fine to carry on. Zaha was on the ball early but his penchant for going to the deck was frustrating United’s players and fans alike. A half chance came for Benteke but his shot lacked power and was saved comfortably from Henderson.
Lundstram got a booking for a fairly innocuous challenge on Zaha as the Palace man went to ground again. O’Connell had a header off target and then Benteke’s link up saw Townsend had to be halted by Egan. United had knocked it long too much early on and the front two were not seeing much of the ball but even though Palace had more of the ball, they created little the other way. Lundstram shot wide and then Basham had to get a header in to deny the deep cross.
At the other end Stevens shot saw some appeals for a penalty ignored before Palace had a spell of play that saw United have to concede a corner and a free kick but nothing worried Henderson in the United goal. Fleck took a knock and struggled to carry on and had to come off with Freeman replacing him in the midfield area. The sub was straight into the action finding Robinson whose shot was well over. United had started to grow into the game and had the best chance of the game when good build up saw the ball transferred to the right and Lundstram made the interception and then put over a great cross that McGoldrick seemed sure to score but somehow Guaita saved at point blank range.
The half time whistle came after a relatively even half. Palace had more control of the ball but had not created much and even though United had been a bit sloppy with the ball, they still had the best chance of the game.
The second half began with United roaring into Palace and into the lead. Stevens and O’Connell combined with the overlapping centre back being utilised and the ball was played into Freeman. The midfielder took a great touch inside and hit a cross shot that Guaita could only push out. The ball fell right into the path of LUNDSTRAM who fired home to send the ground into raptures with an almighty roar to signal the ball hitting the back of the net.
Palace tried to respond but Townsend’s shot was comfortable for Henderson before Robinson pulled up and had to be replaced with McBurnie who made his home debut. Norwood had grown increasingly influential and his crossfield ball was a sight to behold as it arrowed behind the defence to Baldock who was denied by Van Aanholt. Schlupp and McCarthy came on for Townsend and Meyer as Palace tried to make changes to a game where the home side had controlled much of the second half. United were now ripping into tackles and winning the loose stuff. McBurnie was a handful up top and Freeman was running in behind. Norwood was continuing to spray the ball around with Lundstram still continuing to be a steady player both ways.
The next chance came for United as a corner was not cleared and Basham hit an intelligent cross over that O’Connell met but Guaita pushed away. Baldock was cautioned for a late tackle which McCarthy reacted to and also earned a caution. United now were managing the ball and the game well and Palace had offered little. Freeman’s cross nearly saw McBurnie have a chance but his header looped over. Wickham was on as Palace tried to get extra bodies forward but were struggling to make much headway.
Freeman was booked for a foul on Ward as Palace had a free kick opportunity which Egan and then O’Connell cleared. Jagielka came on for McGoldrick to a stirring reaction as referee Coote incredulously allowed seven minutes extra time! In this additional time, Baldock and then Basham made good interceptions but United protected Henderson expertly and saw time out professionally. The crowd rose to their feet as the Blades won every tackle and loose ball and blast of the final whistle saw the whole ground rise as one to celebrate the first win back at this level.
United – Delighted with the win. The performance again, as last week, was solid. We were not superb but first half we stayed in the game, even though we never got on the ball enough and it was a bit scrappy, we did not get too many chances away and just kept solid. I felt we went long too much and maybe sat off a bit. We did not get the ball to the strikers enough and it kept coming back but fortunately Palace did not do much the other way and only had a few half chances. I did think we could do better even though it had been quite even and we still had the best chance through McGoldrick who should have scored.
After the break Freeman made a difference as did McBurnie and we got the goal and you felt the confidence come through the team. Everyone started to improve and I just sensed the belief on and off the field emanating all around. Palace looked a bit clueless. If anyone looked like scoring again, it might have been us as O’Connell had a header saved and a few other balls went across. Palace had one chance but it was a tame effort and Henderson made a bit of a meal of it. There was 7 minutes of stoppage time (not sure how) but you felt the nerves maybe came more from the crowd who were just doing the usual United might mess this up thing, rather than the team looked really edgy. We actually saw it out quite comfortably.
So, 4 points is a great start. We have not played any heavyweights yet and next Saturday will be our toughest test yet but it has been pleasing. I do think we can do better and even though all the players have been decent to good, think some can do even better. Teams have not cut us apart and we have not conceded many chances, let alone goals. The other way we have had a few chances and scored a few goals. We have seen a surprise in Lundstram coming in and excelling. The defence has been solid and the new players are slowly bedding in. We have to be really pleased with the start.